Soccer Fever Reaches all during the First
Miami Soccer Festival at Kendall Soccer Park

(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Soccer fever is making its way to South Florida as fans of the sport gear up for the first-ever Miami Soccer Festival scheduled for July 30-31, 2011, from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m., at Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Avenue, in Kendall.

Presented by Soccer 5 USA and Miami-Dade Parks, the two-day festival will feature a full range of youth, adult and co-ed teams playing in various 11v11, 7v7 and 5v5 tournaments, while a popular mix of local bands will perform throughout the weekend. Spectators or folks not registered for the tournament, will also enjoy additional entertainment including Soccer 5 Live tricks, juggling, world-record attempts, soccer walk, get-in-the-game fitness and fun, as well as a full variety of food from around the world, all contained within the soccer village. Soccer merchandise, soccer games, and a virtual FIFA tournament played on PS3 and Xbox will also be available for fans of the sport.

Special guest appearances by professional athletes and coaches are expected throughout the weekend.

The event is free and open to the general public. To participate in the tournament, team costs range from $175 to $325. To register for the tournament or for more information, please contact Scott Georgeson, Soccer 5 Miami President, at 1-888-575-2976.

"I cannot thank the Miami Dade Park and Recreation team enough for helping make The Soccer Festival possible," said Alan Georgeson, President of The Soccer 5 Foundation. "I am so proud of all the benefits this soccer festival will bring to our community."

"The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is delighted to partner with The Soccer 5 Foundation's vision to provide an outstanding experience for the community through soccer," said Allison Diego, Director of Business Development, Fundraising and Advocacy for Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department. "We hope this event will become an annual celebration," she added.

Kendall Soccer Park, a Miami-Dade County Park, is one of South Florida's leading soccer complexes with five full-sized soccer fields, four state-of-the-art 5v5 soccer fields, a walking trail, stage area, a soccer village, bleachers, and car parking.

About Miami-Dade Park and Recreation DepartmentNationally accredited, a three-time winner of the National Gold Medal Award, 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award winner for excellence in management and operations, MDPR is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 263 parks and more than 12,848 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about MDPR the public can call 3-1-1, or visit Miami Dade Parks.

About The Parks Foundation of Miami-DadeThe Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a 501(c)3 organization which supports the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department and its mission to help build a world-class parks system for Miami-Dade County residents and visitors, by creating a healthier, more livable and sustainable community by supporting the Open Space Master Plan vision and principles and year-round local park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.
Monies raised through membership and fundraising efforts help fund scholarships for disadvantaged children to attend after-school and summer camp programs; recreational and community programs, such as disability services, and health and wellness initiatives for people of all ages, from the very young to senior citizens; and Open Space Master Plan initiatives, such as the development of Trailways, Bikeways and safe access to parks and open spaces.

About Soccer 5 USA and the Soccer 5 FoundationThe evolution of 5v5 soccer in the USA, a game for all ages and skill levels for all who play soccer, talk soccer, and shop soccer. Soccer 5's mission is to see 5 v 5 soccer being played in every city around the USA via its platform of Soccer 5 USA operations, Soccer 5 live video and forums, the Soccer 5 Academy and a Soccer 5 shop powered by passion! For further information on Soccer 5 USA, contact Scott Georgeson, President, US Soccer 5, LLC, Tel: 1-888-575-2976.

The Soccer 5 Foundation supports the growth of soccer in Miami to promote and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle within the local community. Funds are distributed to create spaces to play, grants for coaching tuition and developmental scholarships amongst other initiatives.